US4478398A - System for routing a signature for stitching using a lift finger - Google Patents

System for routing a signature for stitching using a lift finger Download PDF

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Publication number
US4478398A
US4478398A US06/398,980 US39898082A US4478398A US 4478398 A US4478398 A US 4478398A US 39898082 A US39898082 A US 39898082A US 4478398 A US4478398 A US 4478398A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
signature
support
stitching
finger
routing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US06/398,980
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English (en)
Inventor
Walter J. Stobb
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Stobb Inc
Original Assignee
Stobb Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stobb Inc filed Critical Stobb Inc
Priority to US06/398,980 priority Critical patent/US4478398A/en
Priority to GB08316515A priority patent/GB2123389B/en
Priority to DE19833325173 priority patent/DE3325173A1/de
Priority to FR8311773A priority patent/FR2530229B1/fr
Priority to CH3869/83A priority patent/CH659641A5/de
Priority to IT48691/83A priority patent/IT1197678B/it
Priority to JP58129260A priority patent/JPS5933198A/ja
Priority to SE8303999A priority patent/SE456152B/sv
Assigned to STOBB, INC., A NJ CORP. reassignment STOBB, INC., A NJ CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: STOBB, WALTER J.
Priority to US06/586,392 priority patent/US4650174A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4478398A publication Critical patent/US4478398A/en
Assigned to HORIZON BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION reassignment HORIZON BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: STOBB, INC., A CORP OF NJ.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42C—BOOKBINDING
    • B42C19/00—Multi-step processes for making books
    • B42C19/08—Conveying between operating stations in machines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42B—PERMANENTLY ATTACHING TOGETHER SHEETS, QUIRES OR SIGNATURES OR PERMANENTLY ATTACHING OBJECTS THERETO
    • B42B4/00—Permanently attaching together sheets, quires or signatures by discontinuous stitching with filamentary material, e.g. wire
    • B42B4/02—Rotary type stitching machines

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method and system for routing a signature for stitching, and, more particularly, it relates to a method and system whereby signatures are continuously moved from a raceway and to a stitcher and finally to a collection conveyor.
  • the basic concept of this invention is in both method and apparatus which moves folded sheets along a raceway and to a lift finger or the like which transports the sheets to a rotary stapler, and finally the sheets are deposited on a conveyor.
  • the concept permits a continuous and high-speed movement of the sheets, and it permits the use of a rotary stitcher which can be run at 60,000-70,000 signatures per hour, while other types of stitchers, such as the in-line-head type run at the slower speed of 15,000-20,000 per hour.
  • the present invention accomplishes the aforementioned objectives with inexpensive and thereby a minimum of equipment which is accordingly reliable and easily installed and operated and which is compatible with existing equipment of raceways bringing the signatures to the apparatus, as well as conventional conveyors taking the signatures away from the apparatus.
  • a conventional type of rotary stitcher can be utilized, such as a type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,717,383 which is a rotary and right-angle stitcher for sheets formed into a signature in a conventional arrangement.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of apparatus showing this invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a left-side elevational view of FIG. 1.
  • a conventional type of signature raceway 10 supports folded sheets, in the form of signatures 11, which are draped over the raceway 10 and are moved there along by means of the usual projections or pushers 12 which move in the direction of the arrow A.
  • the draped and folded signatures 11 are moved to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1, and a raceway-type of chain 13 can be employed for moving the signatures in the direction of the arrow A. That is conventional and will therefore be readily understood by anyone skilled in the art.
  • the signatures 11 are moved onto lift fingers 14 which, when they are in the position on the left as shown in FIG. 1 they point toward the raceway and align therewith so that the signature fold at 16 can be positioned directly on the aligned finger 14.
  • the fingers 14 are suitably affixed to an endless chain or support 17 which moves in the direction of the arrow designated B, and thus the signature 11 is picked up by the finger 14 and moved upwardly as viewed in FIG. 1.
  • the support 17 is suitably trained over spaced-apart cylindrical rotating members 18 and 19 which rotate in the direction of the arrow designated C on the member 18, and thus the chain or support 17 moves in the direction of the arrows B shown adjacent the support 17 which is sufficiently flexible to be trained on the circular members 18 and 19 which are on support axles 21.
  • FIG. 1 shows one signature 11 on one of the fingers 14, and that signature 11 had been pushed by the pusher 12 onto the finger 14 which was previously aligned with the raceway 10 while the support 17 was moving upwardly past the raceway 10 and the finger 14 was level with and aligned with the raceway 10.
  • the signature 11 is therefore elevated and moved upwardly towards a rotary stitcher 22 which rotates in the direction of the arrow designated D.
  • the signature 11 and its support finger 14 are swung 90 degrees from the position of its full line side view in FIG. 1 to the position of its dotted line end view at the upper portion of FIG. 1 and immediately below the stitcher 22.
  • the finger 14 is suitably mounted on a connector 23 affixed to the support 17 such that the fingers 14 can be swung or pivotted through the 90 degree arc mentioned.
  • a guide or shoe 24 extends from its lower end 26 in the path of movement of the outer end of the finger 14 to its upper end 27 where it still is in contact with the outer end of the finger 14 and has thus swung the finger 14 and its supported signature 11 through the 90 degree arc, as shown.
  • FIG. 2 also shows the arrangement and positioning of the shoe 24 relative to the two positions of the finger 14.
  • the connectors 23 mounted on the support 17 are arranged to support the fingers 14 outwardly from the support 17 and permit the fingers 14 to swing through the 90 degree arc described.
  • Such arrangement could simply be a slot 28 extending in the support block 23, and the inner end of the finger 14 could be on a vertical pin 29 in the block 23 for permitting swinging of the finger 14 through the slot 28 and the 90 degree arc mentioned.
  • the signatures 11 are continuously picked up from the raceway 10 and are moved in the vertical direction and then in a horizontal direction at which time they move under the rotary stitcher 22 and the fold of the signature 11 is thus presented to the stitcher 22 for the usual function of stitching the sheets of the signature together, in a then conventional stitching manner known by those skilled in the art.
  • a lower support or anvil 31 is disposed below the stitcher 22 and below the end of the finger 14 to engage the finger 14 and thus upwardly support the finger 14 during the stitching process as the finger 14 slides over the anvil 31 in the continuous movement described herein and when the signature is being stitched.
  • FIG. 2 shows the signature 11 in its uppermost position immediately below and subject to the rotary stitcher 22, and the finger 14 is shown resting on the support shoe 31, as mentioned.
  • the signature 11 Upon further continuous movement of the endless support 17, the signature 11 is moved to the right side, as viewed in FIG. 1, and it is then presented to the collecting conveyors 32 and 33 which move in the direction of the arrows E.
  • An engager 34 is mounted adjacent the support 17 and on a pivot pin 36 and it can pivot in the direction of the arrow F and thus the engager end 37 encounters the lower edge of the signature 11 and moves the signature 11 upwardly and to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1 and thus presents the signature 11 to the inner ends or nips 38 and 39, respectively, of the conveyors 32 and 33.
  • the signatures 11 are placed onto the conveyor 33 and moved in the direction of the arrows E.
  • a rotary guide 41 is mounted adjacent the engager 34 and is available for engaging the signature 11 when the signature has been lifted from the finger 11 adjacent the conveyors 32 and 33, and the member 41 rotates in the direction of the arrow G and assists in directing the signature 11 onto the conveyor 33, due to the direction of rotation of the rotary member 41.
  • the then empty fingers 14 move downwardly on the right, as viewed in FIG. 1, and along with the conveyor or support 17, and they move to a stationary guide or shoe 42, which, like the stationary guide or shoe 24, engages the fingers 14 and causes the fingers 14 to swing through the 90 degree arc, but now in the opposite direction so that the fingers 14 come back to their extended position leftward, as viewed in FIG. 1.
  • the fingers 14 can slide into the bifurcated guide 42 which is angulated to extend from the offset position of the fingers 14 at the lower end of the support 17 and to the in-lined position of the fingers 14 on the left of the support 17 in FIG. 1, as shown between FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • FIG. 2 shows the bifuracted end 43 of the guide or shoe 42 which traps the finger 14 and thus moves it through the 90 degree arc just described.
  • the method and apparatus involves a system for routing a signature for stitching, and the signature folded sheets are draped downwardly on the raceway to where they are picked up by the lift fingers 14 which are disposed adjacent the terminal end 13 of the raceway 10.
  • the rotary stitcher 22 is located in the path of the horizontal movement of the fingers 14 and their draped signatures 11, and the signatures therefore are stitched at that point, and finally the engager 34 is disposed in the path of movement of the signature after it has been stitched so that the signature is therefore removed and placed onto the conveyor 33, all in a high-speed and continuous movement.
  • the support 18 and/or the support 19 is considered to be a driver for the support member or belt 17 so that the apparatus moves at the one continuous high-speed described.
  • the endless conveyor 17 is disposed in a vertical plane and it supports the fingers 14 in the horizontal direction, first toward the raceway 10 and then away from the raceway 10 and into the rotary stitcher 11 by the swinging action of the finger 14 as induced by the stationary shoe 24 over which the end of the finger 14 will slide. Finally, the engager end 37 moves in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the support 17 therepast, and thus the signature 11 is lifted off the finger 14 and removed therefrom and past to the collection conveyors 32 and 33.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)
  • Separation, Sorting, Adjustment, Or Bending Of Sheets To Be Conveyed (AREA)
  • Pile Receivers (AREA)
  • Collation Of Sheets And Webs (AREA)
  • Feeding Of Articles By Means Other Than Belts Or Rollers (AREA)
  • Discharge By Other Means (AREA)
US06/398,980 1982-07-16 1982-07-16 System for routing a signature for stitching using a lift finger Expired - Fee Related US4478398A (en)

Priority Applications (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/398,980 US4478398A (en) 1982-07-16 1982-07-16 System for routing a signature for stitching using a lift finger
GB08316515A GB2123389B (en) 1982-07-16 1983-06-17 Routing a signature for stitching
DE19833325173 DE3325173A1 (de) 1982-07-16 1983-07-08 Verfahren und vorrichtung zur handhabung von aus gefalzten bogen bestehenden signaturen zum zwecke der heftung
FR8311773A FR2530229B1 (fr) 1982-07-16 1983-07-13 Procede et appareil destines a faire circuler un cahier pour l'agrafer
IT48691/83A IT1197678B (it) 1982-07-16 1983-07-14 Metodo ed apparecchiatura per instradare una segnatura per la cucitura
CH3869/83A CH659641A5 (de) 1982-07-16 1983-07-14 Vorrichtung zum zubringen gefalteter blaetter zu einer heftmaschine.
JP58129260A JPS5933198A (ja) 1982-07-16 1983-07-15 折本を綴じるために送る方法と装置
SE8303999A SE456152B (sv) 1982-07-16 1983-07-15 System for transport av vikta ark for heftning
US06/586,392 US4650174A (en) 1982-07-16 1984-03-05 Method and system for routing a signature for stitching

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/398,980 US4478398A (en) 1982-07-16 1982-07-16 System for routing a signature for stitching using a lift finger

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/586,392 Division US4650174A (en) 1982-07-16 1984-03-05 Method and system for routing a signature for stitching

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4478398A true US4478398A (en) 1984-10-23

Family

ID=23577613

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/398,980 Expired - Fee Related US4478398A (en) 1982-07-16 1982-07-16 System for routing a signature for stitching using a lift finger
US06/586,392 Expired - Fee Related US4650174A (en) 1982-07-16 1984-03-05 Method and system for routing a signature for stitching

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/586,392 Expired - Fee Related US4650174A (en) 1982-07-16 1984-03-05 Method and system for routing a signature for stitching

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (2) US4478398A (de)
JP (1) JPS5933198A (de)
CH (1) CH659641A5 (de)
DE (1) DE3325173A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2530229B1 (de)
GB (1) GB2123389B (de)
IT (1) IT1197678B (de)
SE (1) SE456152B (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0190641A2 (de) * 1985-02-07 1986-08-13 M.A.N.-ROLAND Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft Belade- und Entladevorrichtung für Falzprodukte
US5120036A (en) * 1991-07-09 1992-06-09 R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company Press stitcher transfer mechanism
US5172897A (en) * 1989-05-25 1992-12-22 Ferag Ag Process and apparatus for collecting and stapling folded printed sheets
US7121540B2 (en) * 2000-08-16 2006-10-17 Kolbus Gmbh & Co. Kg Method and device for the mechanical stitching of multipart printing products by means of wire staples

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3333909A1 (de) * 1983-09-20 1985-04-04 Krupp Brüninghaus GmbH, 5980 Werdohl Anlage zum taktweisen beschicken einer fertigungseinrichtung mit federblaettern unterschiedlicher abmessungen
DE3428512C2 (de) * 1984-08-02 1986-08-21 M.A.N.- Roland Druckmaschinen AG, 6050 Offenbach Vorrichtung zur Übernahme und zum Weitertransport von Falzprodukten
DE3525185A1 (de) * 1985-07-15 1987-01-22 Kolbus Gmbh & Co Kg Fadenheftmaschine und verfahren zum fadenheften von buchblocks
EP0399317B1 (de) * 1989-05-25 1993-12-15 Ferag AG Einrichtung zum Sammeln und Heften von gefalteten Druckbogen
DE59106663D1 (de) * 1990-08-06 1995-11-16 Ferag Ag Vorrichtung zum Drahtheften von mehrteiligen Druckereierzeugnissen.
CH682064A5 (de) * 1990-10-24 1993-07-15 Kolbus Gmbh & Co Kg
JP3415645B2 (ja) * 1992-04-14 2003-06-09 グラプハ−ホルディング・アクチエンゲゼルシヤフト 折り目をつけられたシート状印刷物を集めて綴じるための装置
CH686078A5 (de) * 1992-11-30 1995-12-29 Grapha Holding Ag Vorrichtung zum Heften von auf sich folgenden Auflagen einer umlaufenden Fordereinrichtung rittlings ubereinander abgelegten, bogenartigen Druckprodukten.
DE19735051C2 (de) * 1997-08-13 1999-06-17 Koenig & Bauer Ag Vorrichtung zum Aufteilen eines Stromes von Signaturen

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2692136A (en) * 1950-11-15 1954-10-19 Smyth Mfg Co Machine for assembling book components
US2717383A (en) * 1955-05-02 1955-09-13 Western Printing & Lithographi Rotary type stitching machine
US3057620A (en) * 1960-02-15 1962-10-09 Chicago Machinery Lab Inc Signature gathering and stitching machine
US3245679A (en) * 1963-04-11 1966-04-12 Mueller Hans Compiling and stapling of folded sheets of print
US3536318A (en) * 1968-02-15 1970-10-27 Charles Warren Gay Collator with stapling means and storage means
US3554531A (en) * 1968-06-18 1971-01-12 Harris Intertype Corp Binder assembly
US3752468A (en) * 1970-10-27 1973-08-14 Anpa Apparatus to facilitate insertion of newspaper supplements
US4116750A (en) * 1977-03-15 1978-09-26 Norfin, Inc. Sheet binding apparatus

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR960587A (de) * 1950-04-20
US3362521A (en) * 1966-08-11 1968-01-09 Smyth Mfg Co Book discharging mechanism in casing-in machine
US3515257A (en) * 1967-08-21 1970-06-02 Miehle Goss Dexter Inc Apparatus and method for handling books and the like
CH528983A (de) * 1971-09-29 1972-10-15 Mueller Hans Grapha Masch Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Kontrollieren des Vorhandenseins von Heftklammern an Broschüren
IT1036478B (it) * 1975-07-09 1979-10-30 Meratti Gianattilio Procedimento ed impianto per la fabricazione di libri cuciti
DE2631058C2 (de) * 1976-07-09 1982-02-25 Gruner + Jahr Ag & Co, 2210 Itzehoe Vorrichtung zum Zuführen von in einem Sammler ineinandergesteckter Falzbogen an eine Hefteinrichtung
US4196835A (en) * 1979-02-21 1980-04-08 Harris Corporation Stitching machine
US4236706A (en) * 1979-04-18 1980-12-02 Harris Corporation Signature conveyor for use with inserter and stitcher

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2692136A (en) * 1950-11-15 1954-10-19 Smyth Mfg Co Machine for assembling book components
US2717383A (en) * 1955-05-02 1955-09-13 Western Printing & Lithographi Rotary type stitching machine
US3057620A (en) * 1960-02-15 1962-10-09 Chicago Machinery Lab Inc Signature gathering and stitching machine
US3245679A (en) * 1963-04-11 1966-04-12 Mueller Hans Compiling and stapling of folded sheets of print
US3536318A (en) * 1968-02-15 1970-10-27 Charles Warren Gay Collator with stapling means and storage means
US3554531A (en) * 1968-06-18 1971-01-12 Harris Intertype Corp Binder assembly
US3752468A (en) * 1970-10-27 1973-08-14 Anpa Apparatus to facilitate insertion of newspaper supplements
US4116750A (en) * 1977-03-15 1978-09-26 Norfin, Inc. Sheet binding apparatus

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
"Collator-Stapler Module for Copier" IBM Tech. Discl. Bulletin, vol. 18, No. 10, Mar. 1976, pp. 3160-3162.
Collator Stapler Module for Copier IBM Tech. Discl. Bulletin, vol. 18, No. 10, Mar. 1976, pp. 3160 3162. *

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0190641A2 (de) * 1985-02-07 1986-08-13 M.A.N.-ROLAND Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft Belade- und Entladevorrichtung für Falzprodukte
EP0190641A3 (en) * 1985-02-07 1988-03-30 M.A.N.-Roland Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft Loading and unloading device for folded products
US5172897A (en) * 1989-05-25 1992-12-22 Ferag Ag Process and apparatus for collecting and stapling folded printed sheets
US5356125A (en) * 1989-05-25 1994-10-18 Ferag Ag Apparatus for stapling folded printed sheets
US5120036A (en) * 1991-07-09 1992-06-09 R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company Press stitcher transfer mechanism
US7121540B2 (en) * 2000-08-16 2006-10-17 Kolbus Gmbh & Co. Kg Method and device for the mechanical stitching of multipart printing products by means of wire staples

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH659641A5 (de) 1987-02-13
JPS5933198A (ja) 1984-02-22
IT1197678B (it) 1988-12-06
US4650174A (en) 1987-03-17
GB2123389B (en) 1985-12-04
SE8303999D0 (sv) 1983-07-15
FR2530229A1 (fr) 1984-01-20
FR2530229B1 (fr) 1986-08-08
DE3325173A1 (de) 1984-01-26
SE8303999L (sv) 1984-01-17
GB8316515D0 (en) 1983-07-20
SE456152B (sv) 1988-09-12
GB2123389A (en) 1984-02-01
IT8348691A0 (it) 1983-07-14

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Owner name: STOBB, INC., CLINTON, NJ 08809 A NJ CORP.

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